Mumias East MP, Peter Salasya, is under scrutiny following allegations of issuing death threats to Resident Magistrate Gladys Kiama.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), led by Chief Justice Martha Koome, has taken swift action by deploying a team to investigate the claims and engage relevant agencies.
“The commission has deployed it’s team to the ground to conduct further Investigation and engage the agencies handling the matter with view of taking appropriate action in line with it’s mandate,”JSC noted in a statement.
The JSC emphasized the importance of safeguarding the decisional independence of judges and judicial officers, stating that aggrieved litigants should seek redress through the appellate process.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called upon the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct a thorough, speedy, and impartial inquiry into the matter.
LSK further demanded the immediate arrest of MP Salasya if the investigations substantiate the grave allegations.
“The commission wishes to reiterate that the decisional independence of judge or judicial officers must be safe guided at all time,and when litigants are aggrieved by the decision of the court,”JSC added.
They stressed the need for judicial officers to carry out their duties without intimidation or threats, while strictly adhering to the law.
LSK emphasized the criticality of ensuring the safety of judicial officers in order to uphold the integrity of the Judiciary.
LSK condemned any form of intimidation or threats against judicial officers and called for immediate legal action.
The incident unfolded after Resident Magistrate Gladys Kiama delivered a ruling ordering MP Salasya to pay sh 500,000 that he owed a businessman.
Following the ruling, Kiama reported the matter to the Kakamega Police Station, alleging that Salasya confronted her outside the courtroom and threatened her life.
However ,Salasya allegedly continued to harass Kiama through phone calls and threatening messages via WhatsApp and SMS.
“Having delivered a judgment Hon. Peter Salasya, MP for Mumias East Constituency, confronted and threatened to kill a woman after delivering a judgment in a claim matter,”police report stated.
The accusations against MP Salasya has prompted swift action from both the JSC and LSK.
